Enjoying Valentine's snow days...from inside!!

Who loves 70 degree weather? Don't we all? That was where the temperatures were in Valentine, Nebraska, February 16 -22, 2017. Beautiful weather! But in February? 

Who loves snow days??? Don't we all? As quick as you can change your short sleeves for something warmer, the weather changed and left behind 14 (non-official) inches of snow at a startling rate of two inches per hour!!

This is Valentine's Main Street at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 23 - which is probably what February weather should look like. There was no school, and several businesses had closed for safety reasons. 

Looking south, there were only a  few cars parked on Main Street. But places to stop in and warm up!

Boots, coats, or hats anyone? 

In black and white, the FGL building looks like it may have when it was first constructed. In color, the awnings are bright blue, and without the snow, you can clearly see many updates. 

State, city, and county plows were out clearing as fast as the snow was falling! For that we are very thankful. This little girl was also clearing the walkway with her grandmother's help.  

Mail was still being delivered! Belated Valentines? 

The next day, it was nearly blue skies all the way! 

Snow was piled to the center of the road and being hauled away. Most of the side streets were cleared off as well. 

The storm left behind some Dr. Suess looking snow drifts though. With the cleared roadways, it was fun to get out and see them first hand. 

To think days prior to the snow, you could see and hear the rumble of motorcycles enjoying the springlike temperatures. Trees were beginning to bud out, and bulbs were forcing green tips through the soil. 

It's still a chilly day today, but the sun is creating icicles...

Who doesn't love a snow day? Perhaps you and a loved one could make some  sweet treats, or be creative in some way...paint, color, sew, read, and simply enjoy...because it won't be long and you'll be enjoying the spring blooms, butterflies, and returning birds. 

SandhillsWesternVacations.com invites you to look through the website and plan your perfect 4 season, family fun, adventure! Click on our sponsor's ads and visit their websites to help you with your plans!!!

The texture of winter in the Sandhills!

It's true...not everyone enjoys winter. Not everyone enjoys snow. Nor do they like the cold. But I must confess, I LOVE the winter. I love how it smells. The crunch of the snow underneath my boots in below zero temperatures...the starkness of the landscape which is utterly beautiful with a dusting of snow...and the wildlife is simply amazing.

So you may not be overjoyed by the winter...but I invite you to share the textures from the warmth of your home. And if you do happen to love the winter, by all means please bring your family out to the Sandhills of Nebraska and enjoy the pristine beauty.

There are many lakes for you to enjoy ice fishing including Merritt Reservoir, Big Alkali where the annual Cork Thornton Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament will be held, and the Valentine Refuge lakes.  You can see the movement of the fish at the right which was just caught. 

 Our national emblem is soaring over our skies as a symbol of freedom, strength, and in need of a meal.

Little nuthatches are fascinating to watch as they take food and hide it in the ends of hollow branches, or between the bark of trees.

Not all snowflakes are created equally. So far this winter we've had one beautiful snowflake day which was like living in a snow globe. We've had it snow slush on Christmas day along with thunder, lightning and finishing out the day with winds gusting to 66 mph. That made quite an impression. 

This particular winter day began with the  temperature a mere -27 below zero with a wind chill that was -57. This is one of the days when you can actually smell the winter. Little squirrel, who is snow dusted, wasn't moving as fast as usual.

 Snow flakes are SHINY!!! SPARKLY!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! INDIVIDUALS!!!

 A reflection of the uniqueness of winters in the Sandhills. It can be cold, sub zero, and windy one day, and balmy, sunny, and warm the next. Seriously, in a matter of 24 hours.

 Looks like it could be one of Santa's reindeer practicing for takeoff!

 Natures original pop-sickle!

 Snow blasted trees...like a fairytale.

 Here we have the leftovers of fall mingling with winter creating a unique texture.

Ice climbing anyone? You can, but not at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. Check around for outfitters who will allow this activity, or call the Valentine Chamber of Commerce for more information at 402-376-2969.

 Tire tracks are highlighted by the setting sun.

Baby snowflakes mingle with orange and green lichens. You can find out more about the lichens by going to fs.fed.us.

Large chunks of ice flow over Cornell Dam. Some days, large gaggles of geese sit on top of the dam doing goose things. 

And an innocent, curious, photographer can quietly...stealthily...make their way down to the river to see what kind of goose things they're doing (preening it turns out), and like that - with a silent signal - they all in a giant swoosh, lift off and  fill the skies with their complaints of not getting all their feathers in the right place. It happens.

What have we here? Rainbow clouds? According to Earth\Sky, "They're caused by the presence of very tiny ice crystals or water droplets in the air, which cause light to be diffracted or spread out." 

Click on the Earth\Sky link to find out more about this rarity.

 Jack Frost leaves behind his artistry on a window.

Do you know what this is called? I didn't but discovered it's called a Sun Pillar. According to Earth\Sky, "Sun pillars, or light pillars, are vertical shafts of light that can sometimes be seen extending upwards . They're caused by light reflection from hexagonal ice crystals drifting in Earth's atmosphere."

It's time to warm up now. Find your favorite feline or pup and cuddle up in a sunbeam and enjoy your texture tour of winter in the Sandhills. For some of you, simply looking out the window, dreaming of spring is understandable and the many memories you'll make as the river reverts back to a warm water, fun destination come summer. 

From all of us at SandhillsWesternVacations.com we wish you a happy, healthy, prosperous, and blessed 2017. We're looking forward to seeing you this year!!

Please share your comments about winter textures...your favorite? Not so much? What is your favorite season in the Nebraska Sandhills?

It's Holy week...Happy Easter!

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much better than they?  

Matthew 6:26

 Along the highway...Surprise! What a wonderful gift! 

It even posed with a left turn of his head and a right turn, 

and it finally flew away...so majestic.

This eagle was nesting right over the Niobrara River. Ready to begin new life.

 

Trumpeter swans stop along the Niobrara River. What do you think they have to be happy about?

 

They  step out of the slushy Niobrara, preen, and nap. That's what they have to be happy about!

 

The underbellies of these geese are red as the sun sets and the moon continues to rise.

A few years ago, these Sandhill Cranes stopped by on their migration! Will they stop by this year?

 

Even in the whippiest of winds and snowiest of snows, God provides for our little feathered ones. 

 

 On your mark....get set...soar...yes, that means you too!

May you experience Peace this Easter!

And remember, the Sandhills have all this glory for you to see at this time of year!!! 

Come you bird and fowl lovers. Watch the wonderful variety of birds as they build their nests, 

sit on their eggs and enjoy spring in the Sandhills! 

Time for new beginnings...new life, and for planning your Sandhills vacation.

Winter is fun in the Sandhills of Nebraska!!!

Nothing squirrley about a spring snow here in Valentine, Nebraska. And what fun it is!

 

Last year's leaves are dripping with frozen moisture that fell Saturday, March 9.

These will become fuel for birds returning this spring.

Hot color and cool icicles on this March morning.

Not only were the trees cloaked in frozen precip, so too were the power lines. Winter wonderland and the power stayed on!

What was found in an alley as discarded trash looks more like art with icicles hanging like crystals off a chandelier.

The neutral, rustic, tones are calming and soothing even though the wind was whipping the trees back and forth.

More sculptural trash turned into art!

With drought conditions excessive last year, this moisture is a HUGE blessing!

This icicle was the largest one found while driving around in the winter wonderland.

What do you see here? Signs of spring!

The heavy moisture caused these little pines to bow.

More soothing colors in nature!

It won't be long and the snow will begin falling. Meanwhile, geese are swimming joyfully in this pond.

Thank you for the winter kibble!

It's later in the day Saturday, March 9, heavy, wet, moisture laden snow began falling - again!

It began blanketing trees and branches, already decorated with small icicles.

A small winged one awaits its turn at the feeder.

Keep falling, keep falling...we're grateful and thank You Lord, for every snow flake that falls and every bit of moisture it contains! Looking forward to a GREEN spring and summer!

Deep in the woods, nothing is left untouched by the fallen moisture.

And the snow continues while this deer finds something to satisfy its hunger.  Doesn't winter in the Sandhills make you hungry? There's plenty to see and do! More on this later in the week!